When all those schools are going to bowl games and Marshall isn't, there's something wrong.

Very wrong.

Particularly, considering the circumstances.

Marshall went to a bowl game in 2011, beating Florida International in the Beef O'Brady's. That should have set the stage for a very successful 2012 season.

After all, Marshall had more returning regulars than any other school in Conference USA. Besides that, C-USA clearly appeared headed for a down year. As early as last April, there were predictions the league would be the weakest it had been since Marshall joined C-USA in 2005.

And it was. C-USA was the lowest-rated FBS conference in America.

Then, there is Marshall's schedule. After prevailing through an extremely tough slate in 2011, which included a win over a Louisville program that is going to the Sugar Bowl, the Herd's 2012 schedule was much easier.

Sure, there were two rugged non-conference road games against WVU and Purdue. But all the meaningful tough games -- Ohio, Tulsa and UCF -- were in the friendly confines of Edwards Stadium.

Make that once friendly.

At any rate, the table was set for a break-through season for Marshall in coach Doc Holliday's third year. Just about everyone agreed anything less than an 8-4 regular-season record would be a disappointment.

That explains why the Herd Universe is so disappointed. A losing 5-7 season is the last thing anyone expected. And, justifiably so.

No one expected this season to turn into a losing track meet. But it did. Although Marshall scored 40.9 points per game, it allowed a school record 517 points.

The Herd scored lots of touchdowns, but couldn't tackle anyone on defense or special teams.

Nobody expected that, either.

The bottom line is MU fans had reasonable expectations that weren't met. Based on expectations, on a scale of 1 to 10. ...

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